Winding machine



April 10, 1945. c. F. FITZGERALD 2,373,109-

' WINDING MACHINE Filed Nov. '29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invenlof April 1Q 1945. c. F. FITZGERALD I 2,373,109

WINDING MACHINE- I Filed Nov. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 10, 1945. c. F. FITZGERALD 2,373,109

Y WINDING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29, 194-3 4 Sheets-Sheet" 3 A ril 10, 1945. v

C. F. FITZGERALD WINDING MACHINE- Filed Nov. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 10, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDING MACHINE Charles F. Fitzgerald, Beverly, Mass., assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. .L, a corporation of New Jersey Application November 29, 1943, Serial No. 512,159

8 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in mechanism adapted to cross-wind bobbins or cops and is herein illustrated as embodied in an automatic multiple-bobbin winding machine of the type disclosed in Letters Patent of the United States No 2,343,935, granted March 14-, 1944, on an application filed in the name of Paul W. Senfleben. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited in its utility to machines of the type disclosed in said patent but may be employed to equally good advantage in connection with non-automatic single-bobbin winding machines or machines for winding cops including self-sustaining cops.

In accordance with the disclosure of the afore-- mentioned patent a series of bobbins, such as are used in heavy leather sewing machines, is automatically wound on the machine, each bobbin being wound in such a manner that each convolution of thread is located substantially at right angles to the axis of rotation of the bobbin or the-winding shaftlon which the bobbin is mounted. It has been found desirable to extend the usefulness of the machine disclosed in said patent to wind self-sustaining cops, and this may be accomplished most expediently by cross-winding. In cross-winding a cop the convolutions of the filament or thread are laid helically around the cop. Cross-winding requires a guiding memher which presents the filament or thread to the winding shaft and which is caused to reciprocate in the direct on of the axis of rotation of the winding shaft so as to produce a cross-winding effect. This thread-guiding member is commonly known as a traverse. The frequency of reciprocation of the traverse as compared with the speed of rotation of the winding shaft determines the cross-winding pattern.

It, for example, the traverse is caused to move during one revolution of the winding shaft a distanee corresponding substantially to the length of the cop, that is, the distance between the two side or end faces of the cop (this movement hereinafter being referred to as a traversing movement), each convolution of thread, as measured from one side face to the other, extends helically around the ,cop and the following convolution of thread extends as an oppositely directed helix around the cop, crossing over the previous convolution at a point midway between the two end faces of the cop, and crossing over the convolution immediately ahead of the previous convolution at a pointl-ocated in the perimeter 'of one end face of the cop.

trolled by a traverse making at least one traversing movement during one revolution of the winding shaft and the winding to begin midway between th'e ends of the sleeve member or the like supporting the cop during the winding operation, eachalternate convolution of thread which begins substantially at the same location as the convolution of thread immediately preceding the previous one would be laid on top (seen radially of the cop) oi the said'convolution immediately preceding theprevious one rather than alongside said convolution, if the speed ratio between the traversing movements of the traverse and the revolutions of the winding shaft were 1 to 1, or 1' to an integer multiple of 1.

To obviate the undesirable condition just mentioned it has been necessary in prior winding machines adapted for cross-winding to resort to cumbersome transmissions of expensive manufacture to produce the necessary variation inthe traverse movement with relation to the rotation of the winding shaft.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a simple and yet effective mechanism for cross-winding cops in the manner described, by means of which mechanism the cops are wound uniformly and tightly, and any possibility of piling alternate eonvolutions of thread on top of each other is precluded.

To this end an important feature of the invention resides in the provision of novel mechanism for actuating the traverse in such a manner that the winding of each alternate convolution of thread begins immediately adjacent (seen substantially in the general direction of the axis of rotation of the cop) to the convolution immediately preceding the previous one. Thus. the convolutions of thread are laid'close to each other in the circumference of the cop. This is accomplished by providing a single actuating mechanism designed to impart to the driving means of the traverse a one-half revolution plus afraction ofa revolution during one revolution of the winding shaft, with the result that after two revolutions of the winding shaft the traverse has made a complete movement to and fro and has moved somewhat beyond the original starting point to begin the winding-of a new convolution of thread. y

In accordance with another feature of the invention, means is provided for adjusting the speed ratio between the winding shaft and the traversedriving meanswithin a range permissible to secure the desired proper cross-winding effect. This adjustment may be resorted to when changing from one size of thread to a substantially different size of thread.

These and other features of the invention will now be more fully described in the following speciflcation with reference to the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a thread-winding machine in which the invention is embodied;

Fig. 2 is a right-hand side elevation of a part of the upper portion of the machine illustrating the traverse mechanism;

Fig. 3 is an angular view of a mandrel carrying a series of disks and sleeves on which the cops I-are supported during the winding operat on; s

Fig. 4 is a front view, partly in section, of a pulley mounted on the winding shaft and serving to drive the traverse-actuatingmechanism, the pulley being provided with a speed adjustment;

Fig. 5 is an angular view of the traverse mechanism and its immediate actuating members:

Fig. 6 is a development of the traverse-actuating cam; and, I

Figs. '1 and 8 are diagrammatic views illustrating the cross-winding of the thread at the beginning and at the end of the winding operation on one cop.

The invention is illustrated asembodied in a machine of the type disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent and accordingly only such features of the general organization as it is necescary to refer to for an understanding of the present invention will be described herein in detail. The machine, as illustrated herein, is especially adapted to cross-wind self-sustaining cops of thread, such as are used in heavy leather lockstitch sewing machines.

As in the machine disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent, the machine illustrated herein includes a frame 20 (Figs. 1 and 2) in the upper portion of which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings a shaft 22 (hereinafter referred to as the winding shaft) on which the bobbins or cops wound or to be wound are supported (see Fig. 1.) The winding shaft 22 is rotated at a uniform rate of speed and to this end there is mounted on its left hand extremity (as seen from the front of the machine) a pulley 24 which is connected by a belt 28, to a pulley 28 secured ,to the outer extremity of the rotor shaft 30 of a motor 32.

For the purpose of winding successively a 'plurality of bobbins or cops, the winding shaft 22 or at least a portion thereof, is also mounted for axial movement so as to present the bobbins or cops successively in winding position. The axial movement of the winding shaft is stepwise or intermittent and under the control of a so-called thread controller 34 (Fig. 2) 'and an escapement comprising a rack bar 36 and pawls cooperating therewith, one of the pawls being shown at in Fig. 2. The thread controller 34 engages the coil of thread of the bobbin or cop in winding position and as this coil of thread increases in thickness during the winding operation the thread controller is moved outwardly of the machine. I'he outward movement of the thread controller ultimately initiates the next axial movement of the winding shaft, this movement taking place after the-completion of the winding operationon one bobbin or cop and serving the purpose of presenting the next empty bobbin in winding. position. The thread controller 34 and the pawls cooperating with the rack bar 38 tion with a stationary cutting abutment 44.'

Moreover, the knife actuating mechanism controls a vertically movable bar 46 provided with a horizontally extending arm 48 the downwardly bent end of which serves to shut off the machine by throwing a switch'50. To cook the knife 42 after the severing of the thread and to perform other initial operations prior to the starting of a new winding operation, the machine is provided with a resetting lever 52. To move the winding shaft 22 and the rack bar 36 in their axial directions, a weighted chain 54 (Figs. 1 and 2) is provided, the chain engaging a link member (not shown) connecting the winding shaft with the rack bar.

The illustrated machine is provided, furthermore, with a plurality of thread supplies 56 (Fig. 1) for the purpose of having readily available in the machine threads of different character stics. A selected thread is conducted from its sup 1y 56 upwardly to a thread guide roll 60 (Fig. 2) provided on a release arm 58 in such a manner that upon occurrence of undue tension in the thread, for example, if a knot should become lodged in a thread guiding portion, the release arm 58 will be rocked to release the knife 42 to sever the thread and to shut off the machine by means of the bar 46. Normally, the thread passes around the guide roll 80, thence downwardly into and through a waxpot, thence upwardly to the winding shaft. The release arm 58 is provided with an inclined cam member 62 which, during the last stepwise axial movement of the rack bar 36 is engaged by a pin 64 carried in the extremity of the rack bar and thereby is actuated to release the knife 42 and to shut off the machine by throwing the switch 50.

The'features of the machine so far described are substantially identical with those of the machine disclosed in the aforementioned Letters 1 drel 10 (Fig. 3) supporting the bobbins or in the present case supporting a series of members on which the cops are being wound. The mandrel is provided with helically extending grooves cooperating with inclined pins (not shown) located in the axial bore of the winding shaft for the purpose of securing the mandrel to the winding shaft in different predetermined positions. However, instead of a seriesof bobbins or spools the illustrated mandrel 10 carries a series of sleeves l4 loosely on it, the sleeves being separated by loosely mounted disks I6. Each sleeve 14 serves to sup-' port one cop during and after the winding operation in the machine, the cop being wound between the two disks 18 located at the ends of each sleeve 14 and acting as terminal flanges for the cop. After the winding operation the mandrel is removed from the winding shaft and the sleeves I4 and disks 18 are easily stripped oil. the

mandrel .10 and the cops removed therefrom. The outer end of the mandrel 10 has secured to it a hand wheel I8 provided with a peripheral I recess 94.

(Figs. 2 and 5) which is adjustable lengthwise of groove in which is located-aspirai; spring 80 into the spirals of which the leading and of the thread to be wound is inserted.

For the purpose of cross-winding self-sustain ing cops the illustrated machine is provided with a traverse 80 (Figs. 1, 2 and 5) serving to present the thread to the cop to be wound. The traverse 88 is caused to reciprocate in the direc- ,tion of the axis of rotation of the cop so as to bring about cross-winding and the speed of its reciprocatory motion as compared with the speed of rotation of the cop determines the cross-winding pattern.

The traverse is constructed and mounted in the machine as follows: As illustrated best in Fig. 2 there is provided a plate 30 of substantial thickness, the plate being secured in suitable manner in the machine frame. One portion of the plate provides a bearing for the disks I8. For the purpose of adjustment, the bearing is split, it being held in adjusted position by a screw 82. The lower front portion of the plate 90 is rabbetted to provide a recess 34 (Figs. 2 and 5). A slot 98 (Fig. 2) is cut through the bottom of the Fitted into the recess is a block 38 the recess (1. e. forwardly or rearwardly of the machine) and is held in adjusted position by means of a screw I extending from the rear face of the plate 80 (as seen in Fig. 2) through the slot '96 into a tapped bore provided in the block 98. The block 88 serves as a support for the traverse. The front end of the block 38 has a vertical bore I02 in which is received a screw bolt I04 held in place by a nut I08. The head of the screw bolt I04 engages a sleeve I01 surrounding the upper portion of the screw bolt and having a forwardly extending arm I08 (Fig. On the lower face of the arm I08 is formed a ledge or tongue IIO which is in engagement with a groove II2 provided in a, traverse actuating lever II4 end of the lever I I4 has an apertured boss I34 in which is received. a vertical screw .bolt I30 (Figs. 2 and 5). The head of the bolt I30 engages a hardened sleeve-like cam follower I32 which is seated on the'boss I34, the member I32 being held in place by a'nut I38 threaded onto the lower end of the screw bolt I30 projecting from the lower face of the' lever H4. The am follower I32 is held in engagement witha rotary open face cam I38 (Fig. 5)- by a spring I40. One end of the spring is secured to the rearward portion of the .lever II4 and the other end of the sprin is of the position of the lever II4 with .relation to purpose of changing the timing and extent of Seated in the front end of the groove H2 is a block I20 (Fig. 5) which has at itsforward end .the cam'I38 without adjusting the effective length of the lever. An adjustment of the lever II4 relatively to the block 38 serves to adjust both the relative position and the effective length of the lever.

The contour of the operating face of the ca I38 is best illustrated in-the development of the cam in Fig. 6. The cam has one high. portion and one low portion and the changes from one portion to the other-areinitially rather, abrupt as indicated at c andd.

'As a result of the rotation of the cam I38.os-

cillatory movements are imparted to the lever I I4 I to cause the traverse: 88 to reciprocate in front of a cop to be'wound. The reversal of the trav+ erse at the end of each traverse movement is abrupt in view of the particular configuration of the operating face of the cam I38 so that a-iter the completion of one thread helix the following reverse thread helix 'is started immediately and accordingly no substantial amount of thread is laid along the perimeter of either end face of th cop.

For the purpose of rotating the cam I38 it is secured to the free end of a shaft I (Figs. 1 and of the slot I54 with relation to the plate 90. The

purpose of this adjustment will be presently explained.

The left hand end of the shaft I50 is mounted in a bearing I80 (Fig. 1) which is adjustably secured by means of a screw bolt I02 to a portion a hook-shaped extension serving to guide the.

thread and being the traverse 88 proper. The block I20 is adjustable along the groove H2 and is held in adjusted position by a screw I22 extending through a slot I24 in the block I20 and threaded into the lever II4. The adjustment of the position of the traverse with relation to the winding shaft without changing the position of the lever. r. To impart an oscillatory motion to the traverse carrying and actuating lever II4 so as to cause th traverse 88 substantially to reciprocate in a direction parallel to the winding shaft the rear of the machine frame. The adjustment provided by the screw bolt I62 is in direction and extent substantially the same as that provided by the screw bolt I56. The left hand extremity of the shaft I50 carries a pulley I84 connected by a belt. I80 to a pulley I08 on the winding shaft 22. As illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the pulley I88 is adjustable to vary the velocity of the belt engaging portion of the pulley. The adjustment of the velocity of the pulley. I is made to accommodate different sizes or thicknesses of thread to be wound. An adjustment of 'the pulley I68 either to increase or to decrease the velocity, of its belt engaging portion is followed up by an adjustment of the bearings I52 and I00 of the shaft I00 so as to keep the belt I66 sufficiently taut.

The right hand portion of the shaft I50 is cop to the other.

, In order to provide for an adjustment of the pulley I68 it comprises two principal parts, namely, a left hand part I'III (Fig. 4) and a right hand part I12, the latter part being secured to the shaft 22 by a set screw I13. The left hand .part I10 is annular and has an internal threaded sleeve-like extension I'M and abuts the left hand part I16.

As will be noted from the above the winding shaft 22 serves to rotate the traverse actuating cam I38 by means of the train of mechanism comprising the pulley I68, the pulley I64 and the shaft I50.

Referring to. Fig. 1, it will be noted that the diameter of thedriven pulley I64 is larger than the diameter of the driving pulley I68, thus indicating that the pulley I64 as well as the shaft I50 and cam I38 are rotated at a lesser rate of speed than the pulley I68 and the winding shaft 22. If the speed ratio between the pulleys I66 and I68 were 1 to 1 the cam I88 would impart to the traverse 88 a, complete to and fro movement during one revolution of the winding shaft 22. Assuming the traverse to start at one end or side face of the cop (as determined by the disk 16) it would, during this one revolution of the winding shaft 22, move to the other side face of the cop and'then back again to its starting position. If the speed ratio between the pulleys I6! and I66 were 1 to 2, that is to say, if the driven pulley I64 were making one half ofa revolution durin one revolution of the driving pulley I68, the traverse 88 would move from one side face of the In either case, the inevitable result would be that alternate convolutions or helices ofthread would be piled on top of each othenthuszmaking a proper winding of cops impossible 'To assure a proper cross-winding of cops on the illustrated machine the dimensions of the two pulleys I64 and I68 are so selected that'the radius of the pulley I64 is larger than the radius of the pulley' I68 but smaller than the diameter of the last mentioned pulley. The result is that during one revolution of the driving pulley I68 the driven pulley I64 makes less than one revolution but more than one halfrevolution. Consequently, thetrave'rse is caused to make one complete traversing movement (from one end face to the other of the cop or if the winding started in the middle between two disks I6 from the traverse would, after laying one forward andone reverse helix of thread, be located again in 1. its initial position (assumed before laying the forward helix) and thus would begin laying each alternate thread helix exactly on the same spot where it began laying the helix immediately preceding the previous helix. This would result in piling alternate helices of thread on top of each other. To avoid this. the speed ratio between the winding shaft 22 and the traverse actuating shaft I60 is so selected that it can be expressed only in fractional numbers thus assuring that the traverse is always moved, even though at a uni,- form rate of speed, somewhat beyond the point where it began laying the adjacent helix of thread.

The question may be raised whether or not during the; continued winding operation the successi-ve advancements of the" traverse 88 beyond its previous starting positions by the additional increments of movement imparted to it may not adversely affect the proper placing of the thread crossing points in the middle between the two and faces of the cop. These thread crossings should always be in a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of the cop and located midway between the two end faces of the cop. The answer is that the increase in the diameter of the cop and in the length of thread required to wind a helix of thread around the cop is concomitant with the increase of the angle a of the crossing threads, as will be noted by an inspection of the diagrammatic views of Figs. '7 and 8. The

.outline of Fig. 7 constitutes an elevation of a a sleeve 14 on which a cop winding operation has just been started. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the completely wound cop. Referring to Fig. 7 it will be seen that the windin is assumed to begin substantially in the middle of the sleeve.

The

60 first convolution of thread is indicated at t and the succeeding convolutio'ns of thread are marked t", 29,- and t Similarly, in Fig. 8 the last wound and in this instance final convolution of thread is marked '1', and the preceding convolutions are 48 indicated at T T and T it being understood jacent thread crossing points a and b (Fig. 7). in

the same peripheral surface of the cop (compare the distances between a and b in Fig. '7 and between A and Bin Fig. 8).- It has been found that any moving ahead of the traverse as are- 66 sult of the-additional movements imparted to that middle to one disk and back again to the middle) plus an additional increment of move- 1 ment. .In the illustrated example the speed of the pulley I66 is 1.038/2 during and as compared ment or thread is laid on the periphery of the I i cop parallel to the adjacent helix of thread. If thespeed ratio between the traverse actuating shaft 150 and the winding shaft 22.were exactly 1 to 2or 1 to any other integer multiple of one it is compensated by the increase in the distance between the crossing points a and b of adjacent threads as th thread coil of the cop increases in thickness during the continued winding operation,

chine has athread controller 34 .(Fig. 2) which is moved outwardly'of the machine as a result of the increasing thickness of the cop. This controlsthe stepby step movement of the portion ing and ironing the convolutions of thread as they are being laid. To this end the thread controller 34 is in the form of a two-armed lever secured on a stub shaft I80 (Fig. 2) rotatabh' mounted in the upper end of the right hand arm of the lever 40. The lower arm of the thread controller 34 has an open ended slot I82 which is engaged by an eccentrically mounted adjustable pin I84. The pin determines the extent of movement of the thread controller with relation toits supporting lever 40, as will be explained. The thread controller 34 carries at its upper end. a thread engaging and ironing member I86 which is held in firm contact with the convolutions of thread of the cop from the very beginning of the winding operation, and to this end, there is secured to the shaft I80 a rearwardly extending pin I88 which is biased by a spring I90 connecting the pin I88 to the lever-40. The eccentric pin I84 is so set that one side of the slot I82 abuts the pin I84 with the result that the ironing member I86 can move deeply into the space provided between the two disks I8 determining the lateral dimensions of the cop so as to press the convolutions of thread from the beginning of the winding operation. As the cop increases in thickness the thread controller 34 is moved outwardly with relation to the lever 40 until the other side of the slot I82 abuts the eccentric pin I84 and thus terminates the movement of the thread controller 34 with relation to the lever 40. The continued increase of the thread coil in thickness now causes a movement of the thread controller 34 and the lever 40 as a unit until the rack bar 36 is released to terminate the winding operation of-this particular cop and to initiate the winding operation of the next cop which, in the meantime, has been moved into winding position. After movement of the wound cop out of winding position and movement of the adjacent sleeve 14 and disks I6 into winding position the lever 40 is again moved inwardly to its original position and the ironing member I88 enters the space between the disks 18 in winding position. As a result 'of the action of the spring I80 on the pin I88 the final portion of this movement of the ironing member I88 and the threaded controller 34 is again withrelation to the lever 40.

To insure that during the mounting and removal of the mandrels 10 the winding shaft may conveniently be held stationary, the traverse actuating shaft I50 is provided with a hand wheel I82 (Figs. 1 and 2) by means of which the rotary parts of the illustrated machine may be temporarily immobilized. A

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire-to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:-

1. A winding machine adapted for cross-winding filaments having, in combination, a rotary winding shaft the rotation of which produces a filament coil, a traverse for presenting the filament to the coil and controlling the cross-winding of the filament, driving means for said traverse rotating at a constant speed of more than one revolution and less than two revolutions during two revolutions of the winding shaft, and means for adjusting the speed ratio between the winding shaft and the traverse-driving means.

' 2. A winding machine adapted for cross-winding filaments having, in combination, a rotary winding shaft the rotation of which produces a filament coil, an oscillating traverse for presenting the filament to the coil and controlling the cross-winding of the filament, a rotary cam for oscillating the traverse, and means for rotating the cam at a constant speed of more than one revolution and less than two revolutions during'two revolutions of the winding shaft to cause each alternate convolution of filament to be placed in juxtaposition to the adjacent convolution as seen in the axial direction of the windingshaft.

3; A winding machine adapted for crosswinding filaments having, in combination, a rotary winding shaft the rotation of which produces a filament coil, an oscillating traverse for presenting the filament to the coil and controlling the cross-winding of the filament, a, rotary cam for oscillating the traverse,-and means for rotating the cam at a constant speed of more than one revolution and less than two revolutions during two revolutions of the windingshaft to cause each alternate convolution of filame'nt to be placed in juxtaposition to the adjacent convolution as seen in the axial direction of the winding shaft, the cam being so shaped that its pitch changes abruptly to cause an abrupt reversal of movement of the traverse whenever one side face of the coil has been reached.

3 4. A winding machine adapted for cross-winding filaments having, in combination, a rotary winding shaft the rotation of which produces a filament coil, a traverse for presenting the filament to the coil and controlling the cross-wind- 5 in; of the filament, a fulcrum stud about which the traverse oscillates, means for adjusting said fulcrum stud to adjust the timing of the traverse, and means for varying the throw of the traverse.

o. 5. A winding machine adapted for cross-winding filaments having, in combination, a rotary winding shaft the rotation of which produces a filament coil, an oscillating traverse for presenting the filament to the coil and controlling the 5 cross-winding of the filament, a cam for oscillating the traverse, a rotary shaft carrying said cam, a pulley on said cam shaft, and a pulley on the winding shaft for driving the pulley on the cam shaft by means of a belt, the diameter of 80 the winding shaft pulley being more than the radius but less than the diameter of the cam shaft pulley.

-6. A winding machine adapted for cross-winding filaments having, in combination, a rotary winding shaft he rotation of which produces a filament coil, an oscillating traverse for presenting the filament to the coil and controlling the cross-winding of the filament, a cam foroscillating the traverse, a rotary shaft carrying said cam, a pulley on said .cam shaft, a pulley on the winding shaft for driving the pulley on the cam shaft by means of a belt, the diameter of the winding shaft pulley being more than the radius but less than the diameter of the cam shaft pul- 05 ley, and means for adjusting .the speed of the belt-engaging portion of one of the pulleys.

' 7. A winding machine adapted for cross-winding filaments having, in combination, a rotary windin shaft the rotation of which produces a filament coil, a traverse for presenting the filament to the coil and controlling the cross-winding of the filament, driving means for said traverse rotating at a constant speed of more than one revolution and less than two revolutions dur- 18 ing two revolutions of the winding shaft, and a yielding member engaging the surface of the filament coil to press the convoiutions of the filament as they are being wound.

8. A thread-winding machine having, in combination, a rotary winding shaft supporting a plurality of sleeves and terminal flanges sustaining a plurality of thread cops during their winding, a. thread controller acting between the flanges of. one cop at a time to cause the wind- 

